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NMSU set for Vine & Wine Conference

By Jay Rodman, jrodman@nmsu.edu

Posted:
02/17/2013 01:57:38 PM MST

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The NMSU Cooperative Extension Service is co-hosting the 32nd annual New Mexico Vine and Wine Society Educational Conference Feb. 21-23 in Albuquerque. NMSU s grape research enterprise includes a 500-vine vineyard at NMSU s Fabian Garcia Science Center that is involved in formal varietal trials, preliminary viability indications and research on how local growing conditions affect characteristics like mineral content and fruit quality.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - As the state's land-grant university, New Mexico State University is involved in research and Extension activities that support the state's agricultural producers and processors. An important sector - and one that is growing in both size and stature - is the grape and wine industry.

NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service will co-host the 32nd annual New Mexico Vine and Wine Society Educational Conference Feb. 21-23 at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, in Albuquerque. In addition to NMSU and NMVWS, co-hosts include the New Mexico Wine Growers Association and New Mexico Wine Country.

"The conference is designed to appeal to wine industry professionals, amateur growers and winemakers, and even the general wine enthusiast," said Bernd Maier, NMSU Extension viticulture specialist and coordinator of the educational component of the conference.

"Our experts will give presentations ranging from technical grower issues, yeast selection for different varieties, smartphone apps for wineries, and branding, to more general topics like an introduction of new varieties."

The special wine industry seminar for industry representatives on Thursday, Feb. 21, is presented for the third year by the NMSU Viticulture Program, which Maier heads up.

The more public program for Feb.

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22-23 offers something for everyone, with multiple tracks during certain times targeting different audiences.

Of special interest to wine aficionados is the Saturday guided wine tasting and meet the winemaker series from 1-6 p.m., with sessions on how to taste wines, why tasting blind matters and an overview of New Mexico varietals.

The conference winds up with a wine social and the gala wine dinner and awards program.

Various events and sets of presentations involve different fees. Interested parties should check the registration and program page at http://vineandwine.org/S/current_conference_info.html.

For more information about the conference, contact Bernd Maier at bemaier@nmsu.edu or 575-642-6553.

For more information about NMSU's Viticulture Program and the state's wine industry more broadly, go to viticulture@nmsu.edu.

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